Vaginal Atrophy: Sexuality at Menopause

What we believe about sexuality at menopause has a lot to do with our sexual expectations and experience. While it is a common misconception that sexual desire and activity inevitably decrease at menopause, this does not have to be true for you. In fact, that “first-love” feeling of sexual desire can be experienced at any life-stage.

At midlife, the challenge for most women is to be able to access that in-love feeling in ways other than looking to another person for fulfillment and gratification. In other words, if you think of sexual energy in the largest possible context — as life force, or Source energy — then it is easy to see that the health and vitality of our sexuality is inexorably linked to the health and vitality of our lives.

Listen to Your Body

Many women at midlife are in the process of negotiating how to tap into their source energy, which is why they often notice a decrease in sexual desire. In addition, many other factors can affect sexual desire, including vaginal dryness, dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), vaginismus (painful spasms in the vaginal muscles), loss of clitoral sensation, and touch sensation impairment.

Determining the cause of sexual problems can be difficult. Sometimes, menopause-related hormone deficiency is to blame. But sexual function is a complex, integrated phenomenon that reflects the physical health of not only the ovaries and hormone balance but also the cardiovascular system, the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. In addition, there are almost always underlying psychological, sociocultural, interpersonal and biological influences that affect individual sexual function. Interestingly, in one study where 14 percent of women reported having no sexual problems, one-third admitted they had previously had sexual problems, but that the problems had been resolved when they found new sex partners.

It is also important to note that health conditions and medications may also interfere with sexual functioning. Women suffering from gynecological problems, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, chronic pain, alcoholism, drug use (including cigarette smoking), thyroid deficiency, or depression, as well as those who use anti-hypertensive medications, tranquilizers or sedatives, ulcer medications, glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines, or antidepressants may suffer some sexual dysfunction.

10 Common Midlife Sexual Function Changes

Many of the following midlife changes in sexual function have been associated with normal perimenopause:

As you can see from this list, change itself, and not the nature of the change, is the common theme. It’s important to remember that during the perimenopausal transition, with all of its changes, a woman’s libido may go underground for a while as she reprioritizes her life and the manner in which she uses her energy. This is perfectly normal and can yield great dividends. But, it is only temporary. There is no reason for diminished sex drive to become permanent after menopause. And, while some women truly do notice a decline in libido at menopause, others actually experience heightened sexual desire and activity after menopause.

8 Ways to Keep Your Libido High During Menopause

2.Update your relationship. Question what is no longer viable in your relationship and work with your partner on rekindling your passion together.

3.Make time for yourself and your partner. It can be hard to make the transition from caring for everyone else to taking care of yourself. When you make time for yourself and allow some time to connect with your partner, your passion for each other will return.

4.Get your hormone levels checked. Androgens are the hormones associated with libido; however, declining levels of estradiol (E2) can also affect a woman’s potential for sexual arousal. Having a baseline panel is ideal; it may help you to know what your hormone levels are when your sex drive is normal for you so that if and when you notice a change, you can test your hormones again to see if anything has changed. I recommend the DUTCH test (dried urine test for comprehensive hormones.)

5.Try progesterone cream. A little progesterone cream is often all you need to restore your libido. As a precursor to estrogen and testosterone, progesterone is important in maintaining sufficiently high levels of the other hormones for optimal sexual pleasure. A normal balance of progesterone also acts as a mood stabilizer and supports normal thyroid function.

6.Try phytoestrogens. Many women find that their libido gets restored when they increase their intake of the many known phytoestrogens that nature has given us. These include Pueraria Mirifica, maca, black cohosh, and vitex.

7.Exercise. There is hardly a menopausal symptom that exercise cannot help, including low libido.

8.Tell the truth about your sexuality. All humans are sexual by nature. How you choose to express your sexuality depends on many factors including your upbringing, your hormones levels, your general overall health, and your level of satisfaction with your current partner, if you have one.

9.Read Hot Monogamy, by Dr. Patricia Love. Dr. Love has identified nine factors that can help sustain libido and cultivate a sensual relationship with your partner and yourself.

Do You Have Vaginal Atrophy?

It is estimated that up to 60% of post-menopausal women suffer from vaginal atrophy. And due to embarrassment, cultural taboos and the fact that many women just don’t feel comfortable speaking to their health care providers about the intimate details of their sex lives, many women suffer in silence.

What is Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy (also known as atrophic vaginitis) is caused when there is thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls. This is often attributed to a decline in estrogen and occurs most often after menopause, but it can start as early as a woman’s late 30s.

Vaginal atrophy is considered to be a chronic and progressive condition that can affect quality of life. The symptoms can include:

Vaginal dryness

Thinning of the vaginal walls

Pain or burning sensation, especially during intercourse

Decreased lubrication during intercourse

Spotting after intercourse

Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal

Frequent urinary tract infections

Urinary incontinence

Treatment for Vaginal Atrophy

The good news is that vaginal atrophy is a common condition that is easily treated. The two best ways to treat this condition is to use a vaginal moisturizer and have more sex! In fact, sexual activity increases blood flow to your vagina and helps to keep vaginal tissues healthy.

When it comes to choosing a vaginal moisturizer, there are many options today.

1.Try over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. These are non-hormonal products that can be a wonderful first-line defense against vaginal dryness. They are great for women who are concerned about the use of treatments that contain estrogen.

2.Use a natural moisturizer. Some women can be sensitive to – or even allergic to – ingredients in OTC vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, especially those containing warming agents, dyes, parabens, mineral oil, and perfumes. Try Vitamin E gel caps. You need to puncture the gel cap and then squeeze the gel into your vagina. (You also need to wear a panty liner because the gel can stain your clothing.) Aloe Vera is another natural option. You can use it as both a moisturizer and lubricant. And, it does not upset the PH balance of your vagina. You can also try coconut oil or olive oil, but don’t use these with condoms. Be sure to test any product on the inside of your arm before using internally to be sure that you don’t have a reaction.

3.Try herbal remedies. Other solutions to vaginal dryness include herbal remedies that can be taken systemically, including Pueraria Mirifica (this can also be used vaginally), black cohosh, wild yam, Dong Quai or chasteberry.

4.See your doctor. If you experience painful intercourse that is not resolved by using a vaginal moisturizer, you may need a low-dose estrogen preparation, such as estriol vaginal cream.

Christiane Northrup, M.D., is a visionary pioneer and a leading authority in the field of women’s health and wellness. Recognizing the unity of body, mind, and spirit, she empowers women to trust their inner wisdom, their connection with Source, and their ability to truly flourish.

Comments

Hi, just wanting to know how I can restore myself from Clitoral Atrophy Naturally? I have been under a lot of stress & unfortunately, my partner is a nice man he is not very passionate & I have after being post menopausal have found with the lack of passion & a lot of stress that I have shrunk & shutdown. Thankyou

Hello, I am 55 years old and went into menopause at the age of 34. It literally happened over night, I’d had a few symptoms like night sweats and irritability but put it down to stress over a marriage not working etc etc etc. I have always had a very low libido and sex has never been very high on my list of wants or priorities. Anyway I never took any HRT as I didn’t believe in them and instead opted to go the natural route. I used to take a wild yam and aloe combination which worked a treat but this was discontinued and at the time the internet was not as accessible to be able to research where I could get this. Anyway I subsequently got divorced and 2.5 years later scummed to pressure and tried hrt for a 6 month period,it made no difference and I stopped. I then travelled to another country to meet up with my now husband to see if the relationship would work as we’d been having a “long distance” relationship. In the 3 years since I’d been diagnosed with early menopause I’d never had a period. 4 months after moving to a new country and 3 years past menopause I fell pregnant and have a beautiful amazing son in my life. However my husband cheated on me when I was 8 months pregnant and I chose to stay in the marriage for my child. This is possibly the worst decision I ever made because it compromised my beliefs and I have been in a state of depression for such a long time. After my sons birth I still never regained my periods and sex has been non exsistant from a mental aspect and physically because it just hurts too much. Along the way I have also been diagnosed with an under active thyroid for which I now take thyroxine. So I am now trying to get my life together and realize that I may have many issues to deal with including my relationship with my mom. I still do not take hrt, I am physically active and regularly walk/run and go to the gym, but am thinking maybe I need to address my libido and depression and am not sure where to start with all of this. I was reading your blog on Pueraria mirifica and was wondering if this is something that I should look at taking. I do take a multi vitamin and multi mineral both Usana products, I have bone density scans that always show my density as being good. I did see an endocrinologist a while back and he had seen me a few years earlier and had tried to convince me to go on hrt, when he saw me a second time about 3 years later and I said I had not taken hrt, he said I was doing great and could therefore not see any compelling reason for me to use it. I look forward to hearing your feedback.

I have to say, I have experienced the opposite of everything I have read about menopause and sex. I am 60 years old, 5 years into menopause. My sex drive has never been HIGHER. I can’t get enough! I am exhausting my husband, and in between use toys to pleasure myself. I also have no drying out issues, like I feared from everything I have read. I am more lubricated than I have ever been. I need to put a towel under me when we have sex because I soak the sheets! My husband isn’t complaining, but tell me, is this normal? I am not on any medications. Just a daily vitamin C pill.

I definitely have signs of vaginal atrophy, possibly pretty severe. I would like to try your Pueraria Mirifica products, but have concerns about taking any kind of estrogen due to my mother having had estrogen-receptive breast cancer. Is this a legitimate concern for me?

About what percentage of peri -menopause women actually have an highly increased sex drive at some point for a few weeks at a time where sexual desire just cannot be satisfied during and how long does it last? It goes up and down but up is extreme.

I am 47, mother of a teenager and young adult, have had hysterectomy (fallopian tubes left), and have always had a pretty low libido. Until the weekend of our 23rd wedding anniversary vacation! It was like my husband “flicked my libido switch!” I can’t get it enough! Forget about 3-4 times a week for a healthy relationship – we’re already at that per DAY! In the past I wasn’t interested in him “playing” with me let alone, self-pleasure was completely taboo. Now the floodgates have opened! I am more open to self pleasure (awaiting the arrival of my first sex-toy: vibrator), and free to let my husband “explore” me for as long as he wants. I am frisky all the time. I can’t stop thinking about having orgasms. My vagina is constantly swollen and wet. I’m loving my “awakening,” not to mention, my husband feels he’s with a new woman! My only fear is that it will expire as abruptly as it came. The way I look at it: use it while you can. We are in a loving monogamous relationship. This is our time to embrace it! We defiantly are riding this wave!

What are your thoughts about vaginal rejuvenation? I am 57, a 2x breast cancer warrior and have had a complete hysterectomy. Intercourse is very, very painful (even using OTC vag. moisturizer & lube). I miss sex. Any suggestions?

Dear Chris, Today I am submitting my final version of Writ of Certiorari to the US Supreme Court. At age 60, after having been married to a very powerful Texas lawyer for 46 years, I moved my practice to Colorado, went to a bible class, invited by my elderly patients late in the day in February of 2001, when I walked into the door, there was Nan! I knew I had waited for her all my life. We lived closeted for 4 years, then 1st Baptist mandated “Conversion Therapy” with threat of arrest to fail to comply! We were mortified! I finished the classes, was invited back to church, but arrested for 3rd Degree Criminal Trespassing while we were preparing the refreshments for the congregation. I sought reconciliation; the case was dismissed but the homophobia has never ceased. That is my case at the US Supreme Court. QUESTION TO THE COURT: Does the refusal of others to reconcile violate my 1st Amendment beliefs that God loves all the same, gay and straight? As you know, I have followed your recommendations in Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom for the past 20 years and shared with my family. I am now 76, she is 77 and we hope to be married in the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Chambers after we win! Merry Christmas to you and all those you love, Jan

I am on Effexor and in menopause. Post-divorce and a the last few times I have had sex it has been v painful. I started estrace and if I have sex-it is helpful. However I haven’t been active and am starting a relationship that will have to be long distance for some time.
Despite being a very sexual person until my early 50s- I am now scared about the pain and UTI’s I get from infrequent sex. I am also on Effexor 37.5 3 x daily which clearly reduced libido AND made orgasm very difficult.
In addition to Estrace and lubricant- I am wondering if reducing the Effexor might help with my loss of sex drive and- worse- trouble reaching orgasm. I have anxiety- but depression is much less a problem.
Thanks-
K

What’s all this talk about women thinking sexual desires decrease during menopause? I’m waiting for someone to tell us what to do when our husband’s interest is decreased while ours is just as healthy as ever. Begging obviously doesn’t work. How can our needs be met when hubby isn’t ‘in the mood’?

I have the same issue.We talk about it and he has tried several different “male enhancement” supplements.
There is one that works great for him. I would suggest giving that a try. Also, if he is taking beta-blockers or
BP meds or diuretics, a side-effect is ED. The main thing is to communicate openly about it while not criticizing
him. I am sure that it bothers him as much as it bothers my husband, but we are partners with them and it needs
to be a team effort. Be patient and kind about it – and don’t give up!

You are better off with a compounded estriol cream that is used vaginally, not a fake compound made
from pregnant mare’s urine (PREMARIN). Please find a holistic or integrative physician that will prescribe
this for you. I have had great results from it. I have been in menopause since I was 47 and am 62 now,
and things are working just fine 😉

Hello. I have been an admirer of yours for years. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. How do you pick a progesterone cream? There are SO may on the market. I want help with my libido. I am 55 years old and post-menopausal. thank you very much, Susan Cook

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